Political Science Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2019
Rowan Humphries
Majors: political science, international studies
Hometown: Rochester, New York
Employer: Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
Job title: communications assistant
Job Responsibilities
Assist the communications team by coming up with strategies for social media outreach, working with members of the press and furthering the center's mission with members of the U.S. Congress.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
Dickinson has given me numerous opportunities to pursue experiences off-campus that have contributed to broadening my worldview and allowed me to explore my various interests and figure out what I wanted to do postgraduation. Through internships and study abroad, I have been able to make critical connections and gain new skills that supplemented my work in the classroom. At Dickinson, I wasn't just preparing for the "real world"; I was already there.
What are you most anticipating about your career or postgraduate pursuits?
I am exciting to be living in D.C., a city I've spent two summers in interning. Living in the nation's capital and working to further the important mission of limiting the proliferation of the world's most dangerous weapons will be fulfilling and exciting work.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
Working as a student project manager at the Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues was a defining experience for me. It allowed me to explore topics outside of the scope of my major and draw connections across disciplines. I also gained valuable skills that have aided me in pursuing internships and ultimately a job. The scholars, activists and professionals I met through the Clarke Forum have both inspired me and empowered me to reach my full potential.
Internship Experience
I interned at the National Institute for Civil Discourse and the Arms Control Association (both located in Washington, D.C.). My senior year, I interned at the U.S. Army War College. I also completed a virtual internship with the U.S. State Department's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation. Most of my work centered on communications tasks. I conducted a podcast series for the National Institute for Civil Discourse and helped launch the Arms Control Association's Instagram account. I created daily social media wrap-ups for the State Department and even conducted open-source research on Iran's ballistic missile program.
Gisele Betances
Majors: political science, French & Francophone studies
Hometown: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Fellowship: CORO Fellowship in Public Affairs
Purpose of fellowship: leadership development in public policy
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
I think that Dickinson has prepared me for life after college by really changing the way I think about the world and my place in it. It challenged me to think about the problems in our society and to analyze how those problems came about. It was this education that really helped me understand what I wanted to do after college. Dickinson also has prepared me for life by improving my writing skills. I didn't realize how important it would be until I was applying for fellowships.
What are you most anticipating about your career or postgraduate pursuits?
I think what I anticipate the most about my career is getting to really put into action the knowledge I learned at Dickinson, hopefully using it to make my community better.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
I think the most defining moments of my Dickinson career are the people I have met and the community service I was able to do. I was a part of Alpha Phi Omega, a community service organization. It was there with the people that I met that I learned how important community is. That really grounded not only me but also how I focused my studies and the directions I took to become a better member of my community.
Internship Experience
I did an internship at Church World Services (CWS), which focuses on refugee resettlement. CWS is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was an amazing experience that really shaped my studies moving forward. Some of my duties there were:
- organizing biweekly cultural orientation for newly resettled clients
- working as a Spanish and French translator for Cuban and Haitian refugees
- aiding in administrative work
- and working with a caseworker with individual clients.
Deena Kleinstein
Majors: law & policy, political science
Hometown: Paramus, New Jersey
Graduate School: New York Law School
Field of study: law
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
Dickinson has prepared me for life after graduation by providing me with a holistic and intersectional education with which I can adapt myself to various situations and challenges that may come my way.
What are you most anticipating about your career or postgraduate pursuits?
I am anticipating applying my Dickinson education to law school. I am excited to use all the tools I've learned through academic and leadership positions I have held at Dickinson.
Internship Experience
I interned at the Law Office of Avram E. Frisch as a legal assistant.
Maura Reilly
Majors: archaeology, political science, Spanish
Hometown: Southampton, Pennsylvania
Employer: Office of PA State Senator Art Haywood
Job title: lead intern
Job Responsibilities
Maintaining daily accountability of interns, ensuring all interns are properly trained on basic office functions, fielding project questions and acting as a liaison between the interns and program coordinator. I will also be helping to coordinate outreach events and other programs related to the internship.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
My courses have taught me how to think critically and how to multitask and meet deadlines. I have had the opportunity to pursue my academic interests with three majors. I have also had the opportunity to meet and work closely with a large and diverse group of students and faculty. In addition, the INP program has helped me reflect and think about my internship experiences in relation to my academic and career goals.
What are you most anticipating about your career or postgraduate pursuits?
I plan to work for a couple of years before returning to graduate school. In the meantime, I'd like to take time to research and apply for graduate programs.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
My study abroad experience in Málaga, Spain, and my time as a part of the cross country and track & field teams were defining moments of my time at Dickinson.
Internship Experience
- Philadelphia Zoo: environmental education and animal behavior intern. Educating guests about zoo practices, conservation and animals. Conducting an independent research project about animal behavior.
- Office of PA State Senator Art Haywood: intern (Philadelphia). Conducting legislative research, drafting official correspondence and engaging in community outreach.
- PKSOI: research intern (Carlisle). Conducting independent research and delivering a formal briefing.
Kelly Quinn
Major: political science
Hometown: Madison, New Jersey
Employer: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Internship Experience
United States House of Representatives
Jake Costello
Major: political science
Hometown: West Chester, Pennsylvania
Employer: Bergmann and Moore
Job title: case manager
Job Responsibilities
- Review files and assume responsibility for all assigned files.
- Draft all written documents essential to case and send to supervising Case Managers for review.
- Inform Supervising Case Manager of issues pertaining to cases and clients.
- Collect evidence and records, contact regional VA offices, draft briefs and respond to all inquiries regarding cases.
- Develop strategies for appealing denials for clients.
- Prepare onboarding paperwork for new clients and close out files at the end of representation.
- Create and update Time Matter entries as necessary.
- Send paperwork to appropriate agencies.
- Follow up with agencies regarding status of claims.
- Interact with clients regarding status of cases and acceptances or denials of new cases.
- Prepare clients for VA exams.
- Draft briefs to send to BVA.
- Obtain missing records needed for cases.
- Research precedents to prepare for arguments.
- Identify, track and meet deadlines essential to cases.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
Dickinson's liberal-arts model enabled me to learn and explore my interests in a wide variety of fields, which helped me to discover and achieve my employment goals.
What are you most anticipating about your career or postgraduate pursuits?
Being able to help people who are in need with my legal capabilities.
Internship Experience
Office of Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack, constituent services intern.
Rachael Franchini
Majors: French & Francophone studies, political science, international studies
Hometown: Ravena, New York
Employer: TAPIF, Teaching Assistant Program in France
Job title: English teaching assistant
Job Responsibilities
I will be assigned to one or more schools in the Toulouse region to assist middle and high school teachers in their English classrooms. I may be assigned to multiple schools at different class levels and will provide expertise as a native English speaker on language and American culture.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
Dickinson has prepared me for life after graduation in many different ways. My study abroad experience in Toulouse, France, has clearly informed my goals and my future. I am very grateful for all of the diverse and eye-opening classes I have taken via my three majors and the groups and organizations I have led and been a part of.
What are you most anticipating about your career or postgraduate pursuits?
I am excited to return to Toulouse, where I studied abroad during my junior year. I learned so much about myself and had the most incredibly rewarding experiences in this city, and so I cannot wait to return as an employee rather than a student. Following my time in this program for the 2019-20 school year, I plan to attend law school and study international law. I know that my time abroad during my junior year and my future position in Toulouse are invaluable international experiences.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
The two most important aspects of my Dickinson experience have been the relationships I have made with my professors and my work on The Dickinsonian, Dickinson's student-run newspaper. I have worked as a research assistant for a professor, and I have formed incredible bonds with some of the most intelligent people I have ever met. I have so much respect for the professors at Dickinson, especially those in the international studies and French departments. The work that I have done as editor-in-chief of The Dickinsonian has been extremely important to me as well, because I have learned so much about journalism and learned countless practical skills, as well as finding out a lot about Dickinson as an institution.
Internship Experience
PoliticsPA: My position was as a remote contributing writer for the online political newspaper based in Harrisburg, reporting on local, statewide and national political news.
The campaign of Elizabeth Esty (D-CT5): My position was as a campaign volunteer for House of Representatives member Esty. I helped with fundraising events, planning, calling constituents and other administrative tasks to support the campaign team. This position was based in Connecticut and involved travel throughout the fifth district of the state.
Claire Connors
Major: environmental studies, political science
Hometown: Needham, Massachusetts
Employer: CityYear Boston
Job title: corps member
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
Dickinson has prepared me for life after graduation by giving me chances to practice real life skills in low-pressure situations inside and outside of the classroom. Many of my classes focused on writing and research skills. One class even wrote a grant for a local organization. All of my professors have been really approachable and always willing to help me with schoolwork or figuring out what I want to do after graduation.
What are you most anticipating about your career or postgraduate pursuits?
I am excited to be helping make a difference in people’s lives. Currently I don’t know what my career will look like long term, but Dickinson taught me to try new experiences before I decide about them. I did not study education directly at Dickinson, but all of the skills I learned in my majors are transferable.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
Being a member of the cross-country and track teams has really defined my Dickinson experience. Every day, I was surrounded by teammates who pushed each other to be a little better, both in the classroom and athletics. Balancing academics and athletics has taught me how to structure my time and the importance of prioritizing what is important to me. Additionally, one of my favorite things about Dickinson is by the end of four years, it is hard to walk around campus without seeing someone you know.
Adam Huang
Majors: quantitative economics, political science
Hometown: Guangzhou, China
Graduate School: Cornell University
Field of study: Ph.D. in industrial and labor relations
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
The interdisciplinary nature of Dickinson's education allowed me to experience a variety of subjects and fields. The professors here are amazing.
What are you most anticipating about your career or postgraduate pursuits?
Make it through the program and become a teacher. And then make some positive influences on students, as my professors have done for me.
Internship Experience
I interned at China Development Bank for a summer. Frankly, it helped me realize that I enjoy academic work much more than a standard job.
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Published April 2, 2019